Shocks

From Zwiki

A shock absorber (a.k.a. damper) is a valve that controls the movement of a spring, and attempts to slow it. Its performance has two properties: its bound and its rebound rates. These stop the spring from compressing and expanding respectively.

So, why do you need shock absorbers? Why can't you just use springs to control chassis movement? A spring, regardless of its size and application, behaves in the same manner. Most mattresses are supported by springs. Think about what you happens when you jumped on them as a child. It compresses as your weight and the force of gravity acts upon it, compressing it. When the extra force of you falling is completely absorbed by the spring, it will release it at a rate almost as quickly as it compressed. And so you get flung back into the air. Even if you didn't bend your legs when you landed again you'd get several mini-bounces before your body returned to rest.

If your car was suspended purely by springs, the chassis would do the same every time you hit a bump or turned a corner. While it might not get airborne, those "aftershocks" would make the car uncontrollable.

As such, it is impossible to recommend the best shock for any application without defining which spring is used. Especially if the shocks are not adjustable, which then at least gives you the possibility of fine-tuning them for your spring choice (assuming the range of adjustability falls within the springs' requirements). If the damping force is too strong for a spring, then the car won't return to level fast enough. If its too low, then the spring will move too rapidly.

The spring does most of the job of resisting compression, but the shock then has to resist the spring's desire to expand rapidly, so your shock bound rate should always be lower than your rebound rate. How much so is the art of fine-tuning dampers, which is a black art in itself.

In general terms, all shock absorber uses piston that moves inside a chamber filled with a thick fluid (normally an oil). As the piston compresses and decompresses, oil is forced through a valve. The properties of this valve and its behaviour depending on the direction of flow is how the damping rates are determined. Adjustable dampers will adjust this valve, and so control the flow rate.

Below, we have some of the currently available Nissan 350Z performance springs (at least from reputable companies - we do not believe in endorsing cheap eBay crap).

Contents 1 Koni 2 Moton 3 Penske 4 Tokico D-Spec 5 Tokico HTS [edit] Koni List Price:	[edit] Moton List Price:
[edit] Penske List Price:	[edit] Tokico D-Spec List Price: $803 Notes: D-Spec 16-way adjustable damper sold in sets of 4 only The capability of the D-Spec adjustable shock to be such a multi-use product, results from a sophisticated piston and valving design, combined with a unique variable-aperture bypass controlled by an adjustable slide valve. D-Spec adjustments change both rebound and compression damping simultaneously. Between the hard and soft settings, the D-Spec is infinitely adjustable. D-Spec shocks and struts are sold in sets of four. Each set includes a manual giving pointers on how to adjust the D-Spec as well as various suspension tuning tips. D-Spec suspension
[edit] Tokico HTS List Price: $819 Tokico's HTS Adjustable Dampers, once available only in Japan, represent the ultimate in high performance coilover shock absorbers. Designed with competition in mind, the advanced valving system means you'll have what it takes to win on the track - and the incredible range of adjustment means you'll be able to drive home from the track comfortably. From drifting to daily driving, from autocrossing to road racing - the HTS Adjustable Dampers have what it takes to stay ahead of the competition. 15-Way Adjustability Adjust Both Rebound & Compression Damping Simultaneously Reduce Body Lean, Pitch, & Dive Less Wandering, Better Traction, & Reduce Bottoming Tech Notes: Only Sold As a Complete Set of 4. Springs Sold Seperately.